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| *Travel Tips>>>Washington, D.C. Travel Tips |
Hey what is significant bout union station in dc? |
Travel Info i need it for a project pls hurry and help Travel Tips Washington, D.C.'s Union Station was built jointly by the Pennsylvania (PRR) and Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroads on an area of swampland near the U.S. Capitol Building. The station, designed by architect Daniel Burnham, opened with the arrival of a B&O Railroad passenger train from Pittsburgh on October 27, 1907. A magnificent gateway to our nation's capital, the station has served the needs of the traveling public continuously since that year. Besides the B&O and PRR, the station also served the Chesapeake & Ohio, Southern, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac (RF & P), Atlantic Coast Line, and Seaboard Railroads. During World War II as many as 100,000 passengers a day passed through the station. During the 1980's the station underwent a major renovation, costing over $160 Million Dollars. Completed in 1988, the effort restored the station's grandeur and remade it into a transportation, shopping, and dining megaplex. Source(s): http://www.unionstationdc.com/ http://www.dcnrhs.org/union_station/... Other Travel Tips Lizzyloo gave a great response. Here's a few more facts. When Union Station was first built, it replaced two existing train stations, including one on the mall. The trains, which ran down the middle of city streets, were a safety hazard. The building itself is notable. It's design is Beaux Arts, and it was part of the City Beautiful movement in the late 19th and early 20th century that affected much of the public space in the US Capitol. While other great examples are the LIbrary of Congress and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, Union Station is probably the best example, particularly associated with the broad park that runs between it and the Capitol, a real good example of the City Beautiful movement. The station was most busy during World War II when 200,000 people would pass through the station. (Lizzyloo says 100,000, but my sources say 200,000) In the 70's the station enjoyed a brief time as the National Visitor's center, with a slide presentation in the bottom level, the Pit. The National Visitor's Center idea was not well received, and did not save the station. But it was brought back to life as a commercial center, and today is a thriving commercial center as well as a transportation hub. With over 130 stores and restaurants, and a great food court in the former Pit, Union Station today sees 20,000 visitors a day. Washington TravelCast is doing a tour of Union Station and vicinity which will be published this coming weekend. http://www.washingtontravelcast.com/... Pointless trivia: The stone gaurds that line the top of the entrance were originally nude. The Fine Arts Council had them cover themselves with shields. It's also home to one of the most disgusting movie theaters in America. |
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